| Most importantly: Great sound |
| As one reviewer says, "The steel rack frame is solid and stable, yet you can still pick the whole thing up and move it in one piece, with no difficulty." (We like imagining you carrying your entire drum kit in just two bags. Sigh ... a lovely image.) The drums are held in place with custom-designed fittings made of durable ABS plastic. Steel nuts are molded into the strong plastic frames to accept tension rods. The beauty, of course, is that the frame and kit are designed to "fold up" for transport, without breaking down. BONUS: With easy-to-adjust mounting brackets, and no shells to get in your way, you have virtually infinite positioning possibilities; you even can position your snare slightly UNDER your toms! |
In a word, people are drawn to Traps
drums because they are portable,
but they also sound fantastic. Don't
believe it? Just read what the drum
magazines say about the tonal
quality.
Why they sound so good: Because
80 percent of a drum's sound comes
from the head, not from the shell,
and Traps uses high-quality Remo
heads.
BONUS: Shell-less drums don't have
annoying ringing or buzzing, so you
don't have to constantly tune, tape,
and damper drum heads! Let the
bass player hit what ever note he
wants ... still no buzz.
drums because they are portable,
but they also sound fantastic. Don't
believe it? Just read what the drum
magazines say about the tonal
quality.
Why they sound so good: Because
80 percent of a drum's sound comes
from the head, not from the shell,
and Traps uses high-quality Remo
heads.
BONUS: Shell-less drums don't have
annoying ringing or buzzing, so you
don't have to constantly tune, tape,
and damper drum heads! Let the
bass player hit what ever note he
wants ... still no buzz.
| All about the A400 Traps kit |
| The snare, toms, and kick drum |
| Got a favorite brand of drum heads? Go for it. The Traps kit uses standard "fusion" size toms (10", 12" and 14") and has a 20" double-sided kick. All the drums are fitted with normal steel hoops and tuned in the conventional manner with a drum key for ultimate control, unlike other portable kits that use a single tuning knob (no good). Toms: The 10" and 12" toms have one head and six tuning lugs. The 14" tom has one head and eight tuning lugs. The are "punchy and fast with a rounded tone and a good amount of depth." Plus, Remo Pinstripe heads. |
| The frame |
| The overall footprint of the Traps kit is a Liliputian 36" by 23" (91 by 58 cm). And, the entire kit plus hardware and rack can be carried in two customized bags, with a total weight of only 55 pounds (25 kg)! Did we mention free shipping in the US and a free throne? Also, now you save $25 when you buy the A400 kit and the two-piece custom bags. |
| Snare: Drummers are verrry particular about their snare (kinda freaky, actually), and the Traps snare drum gets rave reviews from pro drummers and drum magazines. Reviewers proclaim that you can achieve a "bright snappy tone" or a "surprisingly fat sound" simply by tuning. You even get "good edge response for delicate ghost work." (Thank you for the love, drum magazines!) The 12" snare is 3" deep with two Remo Ambassador heads and 16-strand snare wires. New to the A400 is a standard snare tensioner and throw-off, making it more like a regular snare. |
| Kick drum: Two 20" heads (a UT Powerstroke 3 on the batter side, and Remo Ebony on the front), and eight tuning lugs per side. Two blue plastic arms hold the kick FIRMLY in place (no wobble, as with other portable kits). BONUS: The front kick head has a 4" rubber dampening pad glued underneath it to quiet sympathetic vibrations. Yes, they thought of everything. You can mic all the drums easily. BONUS: No need to cut a hole in the resonant side of the kick drum because the shell-less drum requires no dampening. Just put the mic in front of the kick and go absolutely nuts. |
| Wanna know how Traps got started? |
Traps is born
In 2004, Nigel Robinson (former
factory manager and designer for
Arbiter Drums) and Chris Fletcher
(formerly with Alchemy, which made
the Flats drums) developed plans for
a completely new and improved
portable drum set. With Alchemy's
design and production expertise,
mould-making knowledge, and a
huge machining facility, the Traps
drum concept was born.
The amazing team is formed
In December 2004 Bob Henrit joined
Nigel Robinson, bringing
considerable playing and sales
experience to form the final link in
this formidable, hardworking team.
Drummers are "special"
The main idea was to design a set of
drums that had all of the advantages
of portable drum sets, but none of
the weaknesses. Contrary to popular
belief, drummers are actually rather
conservative people (it’s true!) and
don’t like change. So, drawing on
their understanding of the special
wants and needs of drummers, the
intricacies of drumming, and their
years of experience in the
manufacturing of drums and drum
parts, the Traps team developed a
uniquely wonderful portable drum kit.
Only the best
To start with, since the team insisted
upon high-quality drum heads, they
chose to standardize with Remo --
one of the best drum-head
manufacturers for the past 50 years.
High quality, and rock-solid
Next, the team focused on making
the drum set sturdy. A steel-tube
rack system was developed to keep
the drums stable. The kick drum was
made with two heads (a unique
feature not found on most portable
kick drums), and was designed with a
strong clamping mechanism to lock it
into place and eliminate wobbling – a
common problem in portable sets.
For hardware, the team offers a
strong and professional kick pedal, hi-
hat stand, snare stand, and cymbal
stands.
In 2004, Nigel Robinson (former
factory manager and designer for
Arbiter Drums) and Chris Fletcher
(formerly with Alchemy, which made
the Flats drums) developed plans for
a completely new and improved
portable drum set. With Alchemy's
design and production expertise,
mould-making knowledge, and a
huge machining facility, the Traps
drum concept was born.
The amazing team is formed
In December 2004 Bob Henrit joined
Nigel Robinson, bringing
considerable playing and sales
experience to form the final link in
this formidable, hardworking team.
Drummers are "special"
The main idea was to design a set of
drums that had all of the advantages
of portable drum sets, but none of
the weaknesses. Contrary to popular
belief, drummers are actually rather
conservative people (it’s true!) and
don’t like change. So, drawing on
their understanding of the special
wants and needs of drummers, the
intricacies of drumming, and their
years of experience in the
manufacturing of drums and drum
parts, the Traps team developed a
uniquely wonderful portable drum kit.
Only the best
To start with, since the team insisted
upon high-quality drum heads, they
chose to standardize with Remo --
one of the best drum-head
manufacturers for the past 50 years.
High quality, and rock-solid
Next, the team focused on making
the drum set sturdy. A steel-tube
rack system was developed to keep
the drums stable. The kick drum was
made with two heads (a unique
feature not found on most portable
kick drums), and was designed with a
strong clamping mechanism to lock it
into place and eliminate wobbling – a
common problem in portable sets.
For hardware, the team offers a
strong and professional kick pedal, hi-
hat stand, snare stand, and cymbal
stands.
| The suspended snare basket is mounted to the rack and holds up even under crazy jam sessions (think: Animal from The Muppet Show). BONUS: Because the snare basket comes off the rack, your feet are free of those stupid snare stand legs that always get in your way. |
| Download the assembly instructions |
Putting the Traps
A400 kit together
is a snap.
Download the
assembly
instructions (pdf
780 KB)
A400 kit together
is a snap.
Download the
assembly
instructions (pdf
780 KB)
| The hi-hat stand is a double-braced, heavy-duty, professional chain-driven hi-hat. The kick pedal is a heavy-duty chain-driven model. Two cymbal boom arms have memory clamps, substantial tilters, and locking mechanisms that function flawlessly. View a closeup of the hardware. |
| The hardware |
| Don't forget the bags! |
| The beautiful Traps two-piece travel bags are custom designed to carry your entire A400 Traps kit. These zippered bags are made of heavy-duty cloth. One bag is for hardware, and the other is for drums (and can also hold your cymbals!). Carry the whole kit in the trunk of a small car. And they look great! Only $185 delivered. Bag dimensions: Buy the bags. |
See the kit set up on stage (click to view larger
image)
image)
| ** Special ** Buy the A400 kit now for £299 and save £20 on the 2-piece customised bags! |
| ** Special ** Buy the A400 kit now for $599 and save $25 on the 2-piece customized bags! |
- Great sound! (hear the drums live)
- Portable (see them fold flat into a small trunk)
- Light (carry them in 2 bags, with one hand)
- Portable (see them fold flat into a small trunk)
- Light (carry them in 2 bags, with one hand)
- Hardware bag: 36" x 10" x 9"
- Drum/cymbal bag: 30" x 20" x 9"
| Home | Videos | Reviews | About the A400 | Pricing | Contact Us | Transaction Security |
- Rock-bottom pricing on Traps drums: Only $599!
- Free shipping in the US!
- Duh, you get a free throne!
- Free shipping in the US!
- Duh, you get a free throne!
| Lowest price, FREE shipping, FREE throne! |